Colombian work ethics

If Bogotános can represent their country, then Colombians work really hard. They work their asses off. It may be because they really need the money to send their children to private international schools, or it may just be pure survival. Working hours in the capital can be as long as twelve – by that I mean starting at 7am and finishing at 7-8pm. Transport limitations only leave people out of their homes for even longer, from at least 6am to 9pm, and that means waking up at 5am. It’s pretty hefty..

Colombians have crazy long hours because they don’t just have one job. In a city like Bogotá, which is scattered with numerous universities, you meet loads of teachers. Lectures in the city start early to cater to professors who have a full time job. These professors would teach at 7am, and then go to their ‘real’ job at 9am. Crazy, huh? 7am is when I wake up. And I know for a fact that in HK, some of those who live next to their work places would wake up at 8.45 to get to work by 9.30..

Colombians live by their work. When you ask someone who doesn’t have a job any job-related questions, you’d get a fidgety, uncomfortable reaction.. Work is part of the culture and Colombians don’t feel good if they are out of work.

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You are right… Colombians are hardworkers and honest people… well most of us. However living in this beautiful country is not easy… poverty and lack of infrastructure make things hard… however as Chinese people, we have our goodwill, integrity and effort to make do and keep going on… VIVA COLOMBIA!!!

[…] got a little lie-in on a Sunday a month ago. (Since we’re in Bogotá, with the usual waking hour at 5.30am, a lie-in means sleeping till 8am..) Just as I was putting on the kettle and sorting out […]

P.S. Well, after 3 years, I’ve definitely been converted..! So now I’m also part of the army of early birds who wake up at 5 and head off to work at 6! How easily human beings adapt! The thing is, starting early in Bogotá really makes sense because of the daylight. It gets bright at 5.30am and dark at 6pm, so there’s no reason not to do so!

[…] it comes to breakfast, there are plenty of options because breakfast meetings are common for the early-risers. (Plus, the combination of expensive rent and relatively low labour costs has also given rise to […]

[…] at the time workers have to spend on the road! Let’s make it simple and not talk about work ethics, time spent around the water cooler or time lost in calling, texting, and emailing for answers.. […]